encargar Imperfect Conjugation
encargar — to order
The imperfect tense of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargaba', 'encargabas', 'encargaba', 'encargábamos', 'encargabais', 'encargaban'.
encargar Imperfect Forms
When to Use the Imperfect
Use the imperfect tense for ongoing or habitual actions in the past, or to describe background settings. For 'encargar', it means you used to order something regularly or were in the process of ordering: 'Yo encargaba libros por correo.' (I used to order books by mail.) or 'Cuando llamé, él encargaba la comida.' (When I called, he was ordering the food.)
Notes on encargar in the Imperfect
Encargar is regular in the imperfect indicative. The stem is 'encargab-', and it follows the standard -ar verb imperfect endings.
Example Sentences
Yo encargaba los periódicos cada mañana.
I used to order the newspapers every morning.
yo
¿Tú encargabas la ropa a esa tienda?
Did you used to order clothes from that store?
tú
Él encargaba todo por internet.
He used to order everything online.
él/ella/usted
Nosotros encargábamos los materiales de construcción.
We used to order the construction materials.
nosotros
Ellos encargaban la comida a domicilio.
They used to order food for delivery.
ellos/ellas/ustedes
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Using the preterite instead of the imperfect for habitual past actions, e.g., 'Encargué la cena todos los viernes' instead of 'Encargaba la cena todos los viernes'.
Correct: For repeated or habitual actions in the past, use the imperfect: 'Encargaba la cena todos los viernes'.
Why: The imperfect describes ongoing or habitual past actions, while the preterite describes completed ones.
Mistake: Confusing imperfect endings with other tenses, e.g., 'encargaba' for nosotros instead of 'encargábamos'.
Correct: The nosotros imperfect ending is '-ábamos': 'encargábamos'.
Why: This is a common mix-up of verb endings.
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Related Tenses
Present
yo: encargo
The present tense of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargo', 'encargas', 'encarga', 'encargamos', 'encargáis', 'encargan'.
Preterite
yo: encargué
The preterite of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargué', 'encargaste', 'encargó', 'encargamos', 'encargasteis', 'encargaron'.
Future
yo: encargaré
The future tense 'encargar' is regular, with the infinitive as the stem: 'encargaré' (I will order).
Conditional
yo: encargaría
The conditional tense of 'encargar' is regular: 'encargaría', 'encargarías', 'encargaría', 'encargaríamos', 'encargaríais', 'encargarían'.
Present Subjunctive
yo: encargue
Use the present subjunctive for wishes, doubts, or emotions related to ordering, like 'Espero que encargues' (I hope you order).
Imperfect Subjunctive
yo: encargara
Use the imperfect subjunctive for past hypothetical situations or wishes with 'encargar', like 'si encargara' (if I ordered).
Affirmative Imperative
yo: encarga
Use the imperative to give direct commands with 'encargar', like 'encarga' (you, informal) or 'encargue' (you, formal).
Negative Imperative
yo: encargues
Use 'no' plus the present subjunctive to form negative commands with 'encargar', like 'no encargues' (don't order).